4/11/2011 -
Global Industry Analysts announces the release of a comprehensive global report on the nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) markets. The global market for nitrile butadiene rubber is projected to exceed 645 thousand tons by the year 2017. Key factors said to be driving the market include the increasing industrialization and development of infrastructure projects and automobile industry in the emerging economies of Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America. According to the report, "Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) or nitrile rubber is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile featuring high strength and an exceptional balance of chemical, oil, alcohol, cold, heat and abrasion resistance that allows it to perform well in a wide range of industrial and automotive applications. NBR finds extensive application in production of automotive transmission belts, o-rings, non-latex gloves, oil seals, hoses, v-belts, gaskets, printer rollers, synthetic leather and chemical plant lining. Although the NBR market displayed dormancy in recent years owing to poor economic conditions, the industry displays tremendous potential, with NBR continuing to be a part of the complex family of workhorse elastomers. The industry faced severe after-effects of the global economic slowdown that began in late 2007 and assumed debilitating proportions in 2008 and 2009. A key reason for the collapse in NBR demand was attributable to the downslide in automobile production as a result of a fall in automobile sales, primarily in high-income countries. The severely hit construction sector also led to a significant drop in demand for NBR. In addition, the soaring prices for feedstock butadiene forced companies to cut down on NBR production. The effect of the increase in prices of the feedstock was also intensified by the weakening dollar. Asia-Pacific represents the largest market worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on nitrile butadiene rubber. The region is also forecast to be the fastest growing market for NBR. Countries in eastern and central Europe, Latin America and Asia have emerged as the major hubs for synthetic rubber consumption. China, Japan and the U.S. continue to be the leading consumers of rubber worldwide. China, in particular, is the epicenter of growth, owing to robust growth in domestic production of industrial goods and motor vehicles. However, strong growth witnessed in the first half of the decade is portended to slow down, as motor vehicular production decelerates and the market matures. Other regions in Asia-Pacific are also expected to clock significant growth in consumption, owing to healthy economic growth, growing vehicular production and an increasing number of tire manufacturing plants. With China’s self-sufficiency rate of NBR production being as low as around 30 percent, a major portion of the domestic demand is met through imports. With signs of stabilization in the automotive and construction sectors, consumption of NBR in the U.S. and West European countries is projected to increase from the year 2011. Select major players profiled in the report include Omnova Solutions, Industrias Negromex S.A., JSR Corporation, Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Lanxess AG, LG Chem Ltd., Nantex Industry Company Ltd., PetroChina Company Limited, Polimeri Europa SpA, Sibur Holding JSC Synthos SA and Zeon Corporation." The research report titled, “Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR): A Global Strategic Business Report,” provides a strategic review of the key market trends, recent product launches, strategic corporate initiatives and profiles of key market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for the nitrile butadiene rubber market for the years 2009 through 2017, and 2003 to 2008 by the following geographic markets - U.S., Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Middle East and Latin America.

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